Gauging machine



Jan. 12, 1943. w s, REYNOLDS I 2,307,957

GAUGING MACHINE Filed July 11, 1940 '7 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR MRI?! 6-Ker/vows Jah. l2, 1943. w. s. REYNOLDS GAUGING MACHINE Filed-July 11,1940 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Illllllll ll Ill-I llnllLLi 'ATI'OR 7 Sheets-Sheet3 k x was m m INVENTOR h/ARRt/V 6} firm/up: I BY ATTORNE .w. s. REYNOLDSGAUGING MACHINE Filed July 11, 1940 Jan. 12, 1943.

Jan; 12, 1943. w. s. REYNOLDS GAUGING MACHINE Filed July 11, 1940 7Sheets-Sheet 4 R O T N E V m M m R a. N M

A omf r'ym Jan. 12, 1943. w. s. REYNOLDS GAUGING MACHINE Filed July 11,1940 7 Sheets-Sheet 5- INVENTOR WARREN 6. Karma/.19.:

ATTORNEYS Jan. 1 2, 1943. s. REYNOLDS GAUGING MACHINE Filed July 11,1940 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR MRRE/v S. Atnvows ATTORN EY Jan. 12,1943. w..s. REYNOLDS 2,307,957

' GAUGING MACHINE Filed July 11, 1940 '7 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR WARREN\5. Fry/v04 as ATTORNE tities of cartridges or other product;

Patented Jan. 12, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GAUGING MACHINE ofDelaware Application July 11, 1940, Serial No. 344,960

10 Claims.

This invention relates to gauging apparatus, and particularly to gaugingmachinery adapted to automatically inspect and selectively segregatecartridges, and other articles.

Aims and objectives leading to the present invention were the provisionof: a machine capable of accurately and safely gauging large quansimplemechanism for automatically delivering product to the gauging mechanism;mechanism for automatically ejecting satisfactory cartridges, at onepoint or one location and automatically ejecting unsatisfactorycartridges at another location; apparatus which will keep the productwhich is being tested within new of the operator at all times; gaugingapparatus which is comparatively open and readily accessible foradjustment and repairs at all times; mechanism for automaticallystopping the machine if the cartridge or other product should by anychance travel beyond the usual unloading stations.

Features resulting from the attainment of these objectives include animproved machine and apparatus which is: simple and positive in itsoperation; adapted to accurately check or gauge cartridges or otherproduct at one station and to eject the inspected product at anotherstation while a succeeding piece of product is being gauged, therebyinsuring high output from the machine; adapted to transmit product fromstation to station in a substantially horizontal plane so that there isno danger of the same improperly falling from the machine by gravity;capable of selectively ejecting product at a plurality of stations (goodproduct at one station and unsatisfactory product at another station);controlled by a simple trip mechanism; positively stopped by a simpleswitch structure actuated by product which happens to be carried beyondthe usual unloading stations; operated by a simple main drivingmechanism, including only one main drive shaft with a considerablenumber of secondary (gauging, feeding, ejecting, etc.) mechanismdirectly associated therewith.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a sectional view through the center of the machine taken online I--I of Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the automatic gaug ing apparatus.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view indexing mechanism at thestart of its cycle of operation.

Fig. 8 is a side View of the work feeding mechanism.

Fig. 9 is a top plan View of the work feeding mechanism shown in Fig. 8.

Before describing the present improvement and mode of operation thereofin detail is should be understood that the invention is not limited tothe details of construction and arrangement of parts shown in theaccompanying drawings, which are merely illustrative of the presentpreferred embodiments, since the invention is capable of otherembodiments, and the phraseology employe-d is for the purpose ofdescription and not of limitation.

Referring now in detail to the drawings which show the present preferredembodiment of the invention, and one industrial application thereof,there is provided a main frame I!) having front, back and side walls II, I2, I3 and I4, respectively, with an integral or a connected topplate I5. This main frame may be placed upon or secured to a bench; or,may be provided with legs to support the same relative to a floor, anyof these expedients being well known.

Work carrier Above and near the center of the top plat I5 there isprovided a work carrier I6, in the form of a cup-shaped turret having aplurality of holders I'I, preferably in the form of separate bushings,adapted to serve as work gauging and holding members. These bushings areaccurately and positively held as by a force fit in suitable bores I9and set screws 18. The work carrier is secured to a vertical shaft 20 asby a spline connection 2| (see Fig. 2) with the shaft sturdily supportedin any suitable and well-known form of bushing or bearing within adownwardly extending boss 22 on the underside of the top plate so thatthe work carrier is maintained against vertical, eccentric and wobblingmovement, yet free for uniform rotation. The work carrier I6 ispreferably provided with plurality of fiat surfaces 23, adjacent boresI9 and spaced an equal extent from the center of the carrier, whichserve as stops to locate and limit movement of the holders II inwardlyrelatively to the carrier.

Rotating and indexing mechanism nected work carrier I6 is preferablyeifected by a Geneva mechanism 29 including a roller 38 secured as by ashoulder stud 3i and nut 32 to the outer end of an arm 33 which in turnis suitably secured to a vertically supported shaft 34, in bearings 35and 35 respectively in the top plate 55 and standard 3?, the latterbeing preferablyintegral with the rear wall l2 and projecting inwardlyof the base (see Fig. 1). Any suitable bearing support for the shaft 34which will support it for rotation and against vertical displacement,and well within the skill of the ordinary mechanic, may be used for thispurpose; The shaft Se is rotated as by a bevel gear 33 secured to theend thereof engaging a cooperating bevel gear 39 on a main drive shaftit. As the arm 33 is rotated the roller 3!! thereon is moved intosucceeding slots 2? in the index plate and serves to move the latterarcuately a predetermined extent each time the arm 33 and shaft 3 3 isgiven one complete rotation and allows the index plate and associatedwork carrier to dwell in the index position a predetermined time. Forexample, the index plate remains stationary from the time the rollerleaves the slot 21 in the position shown in Fig. 2 and travels in acounterclockwise direction until it enters the suceeding slot 21', asshown in solid lines in Fig. '7.

Indexing is very closely related to the rotation of the index plate 24and work carrier it, and is accomplished, according to the presentinvention, by the provision of a swing arm 4!, pivotally secured to theunderside of the top plate i5 as by a stud 42, with a U-shaped lug 63adapted to enter successive notches 2% in the index plate between theslots 27. Preferably a spring l-l connected to the wall H and to a stud55 on the arm M is provided to yieldinglyurge the lug 43successivelyinto the notches 23. An indexing cam plate $6 is secured tothe shaft 3% as by a screw 6'! and has a lobe 58 adapted to engage witha roller 49 at the outer end of the swing arm H to force the latter withthe lug 63 entirely clear of the index plate 24 and to allow the lug toride into successive notches properly at inter vals in the operation ofthe machine. The location and proportions of the arm ll and index cam 46with respect to related parts in the machine is such that the cam d5moves the swing arm and lug in a counterclockwise (Figs. 4 and 7)direction and free of the index plate while the roller is arcuatelymoving the index plate.

As the indexing movement is completed, the lobe or high portion Q3 ofcam passes away from roller 4-9 on arm ti and. the arm and its lug 6.3are thereupon restored to locking position, lug 43 occupying the notch28 adjacent the one from which it was displaced to permit indexingmovement.

Main driving mechanism The main driving mechanism 5i, best seen in Figs.1, 2 and 3, includes a main drive shaft ll] extending longitudinallyacross the machine and preferably suitably supported for rotation in anyconventional bearings 52 and 53 in side walls l3 and M of the mainframe. A drive pulley 55 is secured to one end of the shaft lii as byspline 55 and set screw 56, and a flywheel 5i is preferably secured tothe other end of the main drive shaft. Within the main frame walls 53and M, as viewed in Fig. 3, and suitably secured thereto, the main driveshaft it carries an ejector cam 58, a trip mechanism cam 59, a plungerHill, and a combined selector and ejector cam El, all of whch will bedescribed in greater detail hereinafter. Any suitable prime mover may beused to rotatethe main drive shaft.

Hopper feed mechanism A hopper feed mechanism 'lil (Figs. 8 and 9) isprovided to insure a continuous supply of product to the machine. In itspresent preferred form this hopper feed includes a container H suitablymounted upon and secured to a standard 72 (Fig. 1). An arcuately movableagitator 73. including segmental piates Ed suitably soacetl from eachother. is carried by a hub E5 on a shaft l3 and is adapted to bevertically or arcuately reciprocated within the container H.

Cartridges Tl, or other shouldered or flanged product, may be droppedinto the container H; and, as the agitator i3 is arcuately moved itpicks up this product with the flanges it thereon serving to suspend theproduct upon the spaced plates 74, as may be seen best in Figs. 8 and 9.A lower solid segment 79 thereon serves to close an opening 86 at thebottom or" the container 'H. Arcuate reciprocation of the agitator i3 iseffected by a gear 88 at an end of the main drive shaft 40 (see Fig. 2)meshing with and driving an intermediate gear 32 suitably and rotatablymounted upon a rearwardly extending bracket 83 (see Figs; 1 and 9particularly) which has an eccentrically located stud 8 5, at one sidethereof pivotally associated \with a connecting rod 85 connected at itsupper end through a stud 86 to a rearwardly projected arm 3'! secured tothe shaft it which is connected to the agitator 13.

Thus, as the main drive shaft 45) rotates, the eccentrically locatedstud 84 with the connecting rod 85 and arm 67 arcuately reciprocates theagitator l3 through the collection of cartridges or other flangedproducts winch are in the container H to maintain a run of the samebetween the plates 14 which serve as slide members for the product.

When the agitator i3 is in the raised position shown in Fig. 8 it causessuccessive pieces of product to ride from a channel 74 between and uponthe plates M on the agitator 13 to a channel 88 of a stationary member89, and thence to drop downwardly through a suitable duct 90 which issecured to the top of the main frame l9, as may be seen best in Figs. 1and 6. This duct is preferably slightly curved so that the producttravels by gravity directly into a horizontal position adjacent theholders IT on the work carrier It, as may be seen best in Figs. 1, 2 and6.

Selective feed mechanism In order to insure a controlled or a one-by-onefeed of product coordinately with the indexing of the holders H and thework carrier [6, the present invention provides a selector mechanism 8|(Figs. 1, 3 and 5) including a lever 92, pivotally mounted upon a stud$3, having a roller 94 at the lower end thereof adapted to engage with aface lila on a cam 6i secured to the main drive shaft til, as may beseen bestin Fig. 3. This lever 92 has an upstanding arm 85 with ayielding connection 98 to a selector arm 9'! pivotally mounted upon astud 98 which is suitably secured to an upstanding bracket 39. Theselector arm 9! is provided with a pair of fingers H39 and Iii!extending upwardly on opposite sides of the fixed member 89 and havingsmall stop pins m2 and H33, respectively. The long flat face of the cam6! serves to maintain the stop pin H12 in the path of the entire run ofproduct until the indexing mechanism brings a holder I! in the workcarrier l6 into registrywith the bore of a work receiver adjacent theend of duct 90, whereupon a lobe I04 on the cam engages the roller 94and moves the lever 92 ina clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 3. Bythis movement the stop pin I02 is retracted from the path of thelowermost article in channel 08 simultaneously with the passage of thesecondary stop pin I03 into the path of the next succeeding article(Fig. 5), whereby only one article will fall into the duct 00. Thesecondary stop pin I03 prevents the passage of any more than one, andserves to check the supply in the channels 88 and 14 until the stop pinI02 is passed into the channel 88 of the stationary member 09 again,whereupon the secondary pin I 03 is retracted and allows a nextsucceeding article to pass into engagement with the main stop pin I02until such a time as the latter is again retracted.

Power work feed and gauge mechanism The cartridges 11 or other product,as they drop downwardly through the duct 90, are successively stopped bya plate I05 transverse the duct 90 at the lower end thereof (see Figs. 1and 6 particularly) whereupon they drop downwardly through a suitableopening 90 at the bottom of the duct into a U-shaped guide member I06 atthe top of a block I01 above the top plate I5. A gate I08 consisting ofa pair of fingers I09 mounted upon studs IIO with a connecting coilspring III serves to prevent the product from working or movingforwardly in the guide member I06, so that there is no danger of thesame passing into the path of the work holders I1 or carrier I6excepting when forced in that direc- The pair of fingers I09 tion at theproper time. of the gate are opened, against the tension of the spring,whenever the product is forced forwardly against bevelled walls II2thereon.

In order to force the successive pieces of product from the U-shapedguide member I06 the present invention provides a plunger I I5 mountedfor longitudinal movement in suitable bushings I I6 and I I1, as may beseen best in Figs. 1, 6 and 9, in fingers IIS and I I9 of a bracket Iintegral with or secured to the rear wall I2 of the main frame. Theforward or innermost end of the plunger may be additionally supported ina suitable bore of a bearing plate I2I secured to the block I01, as byscrews I22.

Normally the plunger H5 is yieldingly urged into an inoperativeposition, clear of the work carrier and to the right as shown in Figs.1, 6 and 9, by a block I23 which is freely slidable upon the plunger II5 being urged rearwardly or to the right as viewed in Figs. 1, 6 and 9against a collar I24 secured to the plunger, as by a lever I25 pivotallymounted upon a stud I26 and having a slot connection I21 with the slideblock I23 whenever the lever is urged in a clockwise direction about thepivot stud I26 as by a coil spring I28 suitably connected upon a studI29 to the rear wall I2 of the main frame I0 and to apin or stud I39 atthe lower end of the lever. Fig. l particularly discloses this lattermechanism.

To yieldingly urge the plunger I85 forwardly, or to the left as viewedin Figs. 1, 6 and 9, the present invention provides spring connectionI3I between a cross-plate I32 at the outermost end of the plunger H5 andsuitable projecting studs I33 upon the slide block I23. Thus, wheneverthe lever I25 is moved in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed inFig. l, studs I33 on the slide block I23 through the coil springs I34and cross-plate I32 pull the plunger H5 to the left through the bearingplate I2I to the channel I06 in the guide member I06 to push thecartridge 11, or other product, through the gate I08 and into the boreI1 of the work holder I1 which is indexed and located directly in thepath thereof. 1

- Power means are provided to move the lever I 25 from the inoperativeto the operative position just described, including a pusher arm I35having any usual form of block and slot connection I36 to the main driveshaft at one end and having a pivotal connection with the lower end ofthe lever I25 as by a stud I30, this arm in turn being provided with aroller I31 rotatably mounted upon a stud I38 in such a manner that theperiphery I39 thereof engages with a cam I40 secured to the main driveshaft. Thus, as the main drive shaft is rotated a lobe I4I upon the camI40 engages with the roller I31 and moves the pusher arm I35 to theright as viewed in Fig. 1, against the tension of the spring I28 to pullthe plunger to the left as by the connection I21. The location of thecam I40 on the shaft 40 and the shape of the lobe MI is such that theymove the plunger to the operative position only after the work carrierI6 is fully moved into a succeeding station and held there by the lug 43of indexing mechanism 24 previously described, and after a new piece ofproduct is dropped into the guide member I06 by the selective feedmechanism SI. The plunger II5 also cooperates with a gauging mechanismin a manner shortly to be described.

Dual ejecting mechanism The present invention provides a dual ejectingmechanism for selectively ejecting good product at one station and bador unsatisfactory product at another station, the former being referredto herein as the primary ejecting means I46 and the latter as thesecondary ejecting means I41.

The primary ejecting means I46 includes an arm I48 secured to a shaftI49 rotatably mounted in bearings I50 and I5I in the top I5 and frontwall II respectively, said shaft being supported against a verticalmovement therein by a collar I52 suitably secured at the lower end ofthe shaft and overlying the bearing I5I and against upward movement by acollar I53 secured to the upper end of the shaft I49 as by a screw belowthe bearing I50. The arm I48 may, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3particularly, be secured to the shaft I49 as by a collar I54 and screwI55. At its outer end the arm I 48 is provided with an ejector fingerI56 secured thereto by a screw and nut connection I51 in a position tobe reciprocated into and out of bores I1 in work holders I1 atpredetermined times and eject good product from the work holders I1whenever the latter reach the position shown adjacent the finger I56 inFig. 2; The connection I51 includes a threaded shank I53 on the fingerI56 associated with a conventional threaded bore in the end of the armI48 for both vertical and arcuate adjustment of the arm While the nut I59 serves to lock the finger in the desired position.

Arcuate movement of the primary ejecting mechanism, and particularly thefinger I55 thereon, from the inoperative position shown in Fig. 2 intoan operative position with the finger I56 projecting work completelyfrom the bore I1, is effected by a drop lobe Hill on the cam 58 securedto the main drive shaft 40 allowing a roller l6! secured to the outerend of a lever I62 on the lower end of the shaft I49 to move to theleft, as viewed in Fig. 3, or toward the side wall I3, under theinfluence of a spring I63 secured to the. wall I3 and lever I62, as bystuds I64 and I65. Retraction of the ejector finger I56 from theoperative position to the inoperative position shown in Fig. 2 isaccomplished by a rise lobe I66 on the cam 58 moving the roller I6I andlever I52 in a counterclockwise direction against the tension of thespring I63.

Trip mechanism I61 is provided to allow the primary ejecting mechanismto move to the ejecting or operative position only predetermined times,as when good product is carried by work holders I1 in the carrier I6into a position adjacent the finger I26. This trip mechanism. willshortly be described.

The secondary ejecting means I41 is somewhat like the primary ejectingmeans I46, and includes an upper arm I68, with an ejector finger I69 atthe outer end thereof within the cavity I19 of the work carrier I6,adapted to move in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2, from theinoperative position shown therein in solid lines, arcuately a slightextent until the finger I 69 is moved through the bore I1 of successivework holders I1. This arm is suitably secured as by a connection IN tothe upper end of a shaft I12 supported in bearings I13 and I14 in thetop and sidewalls I and I 4, respectively, of the main frame I6 in verymuch the same manner as the shaft I49 of the primary ejecting mechanism.Also, similarly to the latter, it is provided with a lower arm I15secured thereto in any suitable manner, with aroller I16 at the outerend thereof engaging a cam 6|, as may be best seen particularly in Fig.4. No trip mechanism is provided; accordingly, a drop lobe I11 on thecam 6| allows the roller I16 to be moved to the left as viewed in Fig. 3once each time the main drive shaft is rotated, and consequently onceeach time the bore I1 of a new work holder I1 is moved into the path ofthe ejecting finger I69.

Thus, the finger I69 of the secondary ejecting mechanism will eject anybad product which is not worked upon by the primary ejecting mechanismin a predetermined manner. Any suitable spring I 18 may, asshown, or inanydesired manner, be connected to the front wall I I and thence to thelower arm I15 to yieldingly urge the roller I16 and arm I15 in aclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 2, or to the left as viewed inFig. 3.

Gauging and tripping mechanism Gauging accomplished by the presentmechanism includes a check or machine inspection of the diameter of ashank section 11, and/or of the diameter and length of the flange 16 onthe product. Referring particularly to Fig. 6, the bore I1 of the workholder I1 is accurately formed to limit entrance or passage therein ofcartridger 11 or other work which happens to be oversize. Normallyproduct of this kind has a slight taper so that even oversize productmay initially partly enter the work holder but if the shank or bodythereof is oversize wedging or limiting of inward movement of productoccurs, whereby it projects to the right or outwardly of the workholder, as viewed in Fig. 6. If the flange section 13 on the product isoversize it either will not fit into the bevel lea provided therefor atthe end of the work holder or will project outwardly from the face ofthe holder an undesirable extent. Somewhat similarly, if a flange is notformed on the product or is undersize it will allow product to enterinto the bore of the holder I1 or enter the cavity of the carrier I6 toodeeply.

A cooperating gauging member includes the plunger H5 when it isreciprocated to the left, as viewed in Fig. 6. During this leftwardmovement the plunger ejects product from the guide member I86 into thework holder I1, while the forward end H5 thereof engages a flanged endof the product.

Now, it is to be particularly noted that the plunger I I6 is providedwith an adjustable gauging member I BI, having a suitable adjustableconnection I82, such as a screw thread, on the plunger H5, which may beheld in the desired position as by a secondary locking member I 63. Asthe plunger is pulled to the left by the mechanism hereinbeforedescribed, including a cam I96, pusher arm I35, lever I25 and springconnection I 3!, the gauging member I8! engages an upwardly projectingfinger I84 secured to a horizontally disposed pivot stud I85 on asuitable bracket I 66 at the top of the plate I 5 and through the lattermoves a long trip finger I 81, also secured to the pivot stud I85, in acounterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 1, until product in thework holder limits further pulling of the plunger II5 to the left, asviewed in Fig. 1. It should be particularly noted that slight movementof the short finger I89 causes a relatively great travel of the longfinger I81 so that small differences in product are accurately checked.

Whenever the product is of the right size plunger movement, andparticularly movement of the gauging member IBI, is just enough to movea control end I68 of the long finger I81 to a position immediately abovea notch I89 defined by shoulders I90 and I9! upon a control lever I92pivotally mounted upon a stud I93 secured to a rearwardly projectingbracket I94 on the front wall of the machine. A roller I96 is mountedupon a stud I91 near the free end of the control lever I92, and isarranged to be urged against cam 59 by a flat spring I98 secured to therear wall I2 as by a screw I99. A drop lobe 269 is provided on this camwhich permits the roller I96 and associated control arm I92 to be movedupwardly within the main frame I9 whenever the control end I88 of thelong finger I81 overlies the notch I89.

Associated with the trip mechanism the present invention provides adetent mechanism 29I to normally restrain the primary ejecting meansfrom operating, including a lift rod 262 pivotally connected to thecontrol lever I92 as by a stud 263, and having a pair of collars 204 atthe upper end thereof for locating and controlling the outer or free endof a drop lever 265 pivotally secured upon a stud 266 to a bracket 26'!at the side wall I3. This drop lever is provided with a downwardlyprojecting stud 268 adapted to drop into the path of a hook lever 299which is secured to the swing arm I62 portion of the primary ejectingmechanism.

Operation of the trip mechanism is as follows: Whenever good product islocated in a work holder I1 the gauging member I8I on the plungerlocates the lower part of the long finger I81 centrally over the notchI89 whereupon the spring I98 raises the roller I96 and the control leverI92 upwardly when the drop or low lobe 299 is adjacent the roller,whereupon the rod 262 and collar 294 kick the drop lever 265 and stoppin 298 upwardly or counterclockwise, as viewed in Fig. 3, until thedrop pin is clear of the hook 269 whereupon the roller I6I and swing armI62 of the primary ejecting means I49 may be moved in a clockwisedirection by the spring I63 when the drop lobe I60 is adjacent theroller I6I and thereby swing the ejecting finger I56 toward and into thebore of the adjacent holder I1 to eject good product therefrom.

Whenever the product is oversize in shank diameter, flange diameter orflange length the plunger H5 is prevented from moving the usual extentto the left, as viewed in Fig. 1, whereupon the control end I88 of thelong finger $91 overlies the shoulder I90 instead of the notch I89,whereupon the roller I96 cannot be urged into the drop lobe 200 of thecam 59 by the spring I98 and the detent mechanism 20I cannot bereleased.

The same general condition occurs whenever the flange 18 is omitted orundersized, for then the plunger II5.and gauging member I8I moves theend I88 of the finger I01 an excessive amount in a counterclockwisedirection, as viewed in Fig. 1, into a position overlying the shoulder 9E. Thus, it will be seen that it is necessary for the product to be ofthe right size in order for the primary ejecting mechanism to bereleased, Timing of the tripping mechanism I61, or more particularly therelationship between the drop lobe 206 on the cam 59 and drop lobe I60on the cam 59 of the primary ejector, is such that the latter is notmade operative on good shells until a work holder I1 is moved from astation adjacent the plunger II5 into the next station adjacent theejector finger I56, as will be readily appreciated. This has theadvantage of making possible an ejecting of product at one station atthe same time that gauging is occurring another or starting station, andthereby insures a large output from the machine.

The rise or angular faces from the low lobes I60 and 200 back to thehigh lobes I66 and 2I0 on the cams 58 and 59 serve to recondition thetrip mechanism I61 and detent mechanism 20I each time the main shaft isrotated once; or, each time the carrier is indexed one station. The longfinger I81 is so proportioned and weighted that in merely hanging bygravity from the stud I85 it overlies the shoulder I90, as shown in Fig.1, where it remains if the gauging member I8I does not push the controlend over the notch I 89. Also, it drops back to that position when thecontrol lever is kicked down again by the rise lobe of cam 59 eventhough the end I88 is temporarily in the notch I89 over the outermostshoulder I9I. The timing or length of the high lobe I4I on the cam I40for pulling the plunger II5 forward is enough to maintain the gaugingmember I8I and control end I88 relative to the notch or shoulders I89and I9I until the low lobe 200 of the cam 59 overlies the roller I96 ofthe control arm I92 so that the latter and the detent mechanism willfunction if the notch I89 correctly underlies the control end I88.

In the event that the product, such as a cartridge 11, is undersize oroversize, along the lines pointed out hereinbefore, the trip and detentmechanisms I61 and I, respectively, do not re once each time the workcarrier is indexed the ejecting finger I69 thereon serves to ejectundersize or oversize product remaining in any work holder I1 reachingthe position adjacent the finger I69 of the secondary ejector.

Operation Operation of the machine is as follows: Prodnot is placed inthe container 1| of the hopper feed mechanism and the machine throughdrive pulley 54-is started and run with any suitable prime mover; theagitator 13 and selector mechanism drop product, one by one, to theguide member I06; the plunger I I5 pushes product successively intoholders I1 in the carrier I6, and at the same time the plunger, throughthe gauging member I8I, trip mechanism I61 and detent mechanism 20I,condition the primary ejector I46 to engage with and eject only goodpro-duct from the work carrier at the next station after the first orloading station; and a secondary ejector I41 is operated to ejectunsatisfactory product at a succeeding station.

Safety switch If any product remains in the work holder beyond theprimary and secondary ejecting sta tions there might be danger ofjamming a new piece of product against the same when it is carriedaround again to the loading station adjacent the plunger H5. To preventsuch an 00- currence the present invention provides a safety switch 2| 5including a rod 2 I6 pivotally mounted in a suitable bracket 2I1 at theright-hand side of the machine, as viewed in Fig. 1, said rod beingprovided with a pair of downwardly projecting fingers 2I9 and 2I9 at theinside and outside of the work carrier I6 which are tilted upwardly byany product moved thereto by the work carrier I6. The outer end of therod 2H3 (righthand end as viewed in Fig. 3) supports a conventionalMicro switch 220 which is connected to a conventional circuit for amotor driving the main pulley 54, or to a relay for a clutch or anyother control. A spring 22I connected to studs 222 and 223 on thebracket and arm 2H and 224, respectively, urge the fingers 2I8 and 2I9into a down position and allow the same to be tilted upwardly and totilt the Micro switch, and particularly a button 225 thereof, downwardlyaway from a depending lug 226 supported by a casing 221, thereby openinga conventional circuit to a motor, or otherwise conditioning the leasethe primary ejecting means I46 so that the circuit to any otherconventional electrical control apparatus, whenever product is moved bythe carrier into the path of either or both of the fingers. Use thereofis optional but greatly increases the efliciency and advantages of thepresent machine.

A chute 230 outside the work carrier I6 and adjacent the primaryejecting mechanism, when the latter is in the operative position, and achute 23I adjacent the secondary ejector are provided to respectivelydivert ejected good and unsatisfactory product to suitable locations andcontainers. These chutes may be of conventional construction suitablysecured to the top of the main frame I0.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of thisinvention, and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

Having thu sdescribed the invention what is claimed as new is:

1. In a gauging apparatus the combination of a main frame; a workcarrier; a plurality of work holders in said carrier; means for movingsaid carrier, and the holders therein, successively into loading andunloading stations; means carried by said frame for loading work intothe holders at a loading station; means carried by said loading meansfor gauging work at the loading station; and means controlled by saidwork loading means for ejecting work at the unloading station.

2. In a gauging apparatus the combination of a main frame, a pluralityof work holders, an indexible turret comprising a stationary guidemember, means for intermittently placing pieces of work into the guidemember, means for moving work from the guide member to the work holder,means carried by said work moving means for gauging the work, an ejectordevice for accepted work, means controlled by said gauging means forconditioning said ejector device for operation, and means for actuatingsaid ejector device when conditioned for operation by said conditioningmeans to eject accepted work.

3. In a gauging apparatus the combination of a frame; a work holder; anejector; operating means for the ejector, including a swing arm and acam; a detent mechanism adapted to engage said arm for preventing thearm from cooperating fully with the cam; a trip mechanism adapted toactuate said detent mechanism for releasing said swing arm, including alever with a notch defined by two shoulders; a plunger; gauging means onsaid plunger; and means actuated by said plunger to cooperate with saidnotch for controlling said trip mechanism.

i. In a work gauging and sorting machine, in

combination, a dial, means for rotating said dial in step by stepmovement, a work holder in said dial, a work receiving station at whichwork to be gauged is inserted in said work holder, an ejection stationat which accepted work is ejected from said holder, a second workreceiving station at which defective work is ejected from said holder,an inspection station located between said second ejection station andsaid work receiving station, a bifurcated member at said inspectionstation for determining the presence of a work piece in said holder byengagement with an end portion thereof, and means controlled by saidinspection station member for stopping the machine if a work piece isfound in said holder.

5. In a work gauging and sorting machine, in combination, a dial, a workholder on said dial, means for delivering a work piece to said dial at awork receiving station, means for indexing said dial and work holder toand beyond a plurality of ejection stations, an inspection stationbetween the last of said ejection stations and said loading station, anelectrical device comprising a bifurcated member at said ejectionstation for determining the presence of a work piece in said holder byengagement with a portion thereof projecting from said work holder, andmachine controlling means actuated by said electrical device.

6. In a gauging and assorting machine, in combination, a carrier, a workholder on said carrier, means for indexing said carrier and work holderfrom a loading station to an ejection station, means at said loadingstation for delivering a work piece to said work holder comprising aplunger, plunger actuating means enabling variations in the movement ofsaid plunger proportional to variations in the dimensions of the workpiece delivered to the work holder, an ejection device in said ejectionstation, means operated in timed relation to each indexing movement ofsaid carrier for actuating said ejection device, and means wherebyover-movement or undermovement of said work delivering plunger preventsthe operation of said ejecting device.

'7. In a gauging and assorting machine, in combination, a carrier, awork holder on said carrier, means for indexing said carrier and workholder from a loading station to an ejection station, means at saidloading station for delivering a work piece to said work holder andconcurrently inspecting said work piece comprising a plunger, plungeractuating means enabling variations in the movement of said plungerproportional to variations in the dimensions of the work piece deliveredto the work holder, an ejection device in said ejection station, meansoperated in timed relation to each indexing movement of said carrier foractuating said ejection device, a latch for preventing the actuation ofsaid ejection device by said actuating means, and a latch disablingmechanism controlled by said plunger.

8. In a gauging and assorting machine, in combination, a carrier, a workholder on said carrier, means for indexing said carrier and work holderfrom a loading station to an ejection, means at said loading station fordelivering a work piece to said work holder and concurrently inspectingsaid work piece comprising a plunger, an ejection device in saidejection station, means for actuating said ejection device, a latch forpreventing the actuation of said ejection device by said actuatingmeans, latch disabling means comprising a lever normally reciprocated ineach cycle of operation, and a device controlled by said plunger forpreventing reciprocation of said lever.

9. In a gauging and assorting machine, in combination, a carrier, a workholder on said carrier, means for indexing said carrier and work holderfrom a loading station to an ejection station, means at said loadingstation for delivering a work piece to said work holder and concurrentlyinspecting said work piece comprising a plunger, an ejection device atsaid ejection station, means for actuating said ejection device, a latchfor preventing the actuation of said ejection device by said actuatingmeans, latch disabling means comprising a lever normally reciprocated ineach cycle of operation, an abutment adapted to prevent suchreciprocation of said lever, and means controlled by said plunger forshifting said abutment to permit reciprocation of said lever if the workpiece in said work holder is acceptable.

10. In a gauging and assorting machine, in

combination, a carrier, a work holder on said carrier, means forindexing said carrier and work holder from a loading station to anejection station, means at said loading station for delivering a workpiece to said work holder and concurrently inspecting said work piececomprising a plunger, an ejection device at said ejection station, meansfor actuating said ejection device, a latch for preventing the actuationof said ejection device by said actuating means, latch disabling meanscomprising a lever normally reciprocated in each cycle of operation, ashiftable abutment in the path of said lever, a notch in said leveradapted to receive said abutment, and means controlled by said plungerfor shifting said abutment into alignment with said notch when the workpiec in said work holder is acceptable.

WARREN S. REYNOLDS.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. Patent No. 2,507,957. I January 12,1945.

WARREN s. REYNOLDS.

It is hereby certified that error appears inthe printed specification,

of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 1,second column, line 5, for "improvement" read -improvements-; line 6,for "is" read -it-; page 6, first column, line ll,before "a" secondoccurrence, insert an indexible turret comprising-; lines 11-12, strikeout "an indexible turret comprising second column, line 26, after theword "ejection" insert stationand that the said Letters Patent should be'read with this correction therein that the same may. conform to therecord of the case in the Patent Office. I

Signed and sealed this 27th day of April, A. D. 1911.5.

Henry Van Arsdale, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

